The rugby world at their feet

Published on Wednesday 26 November 2003 00:00

ENGLAND’S rugby team arrived home in overdrive yesterday as more than 8,000 fans crammed into Terminal Four in the biggest welcome ever seen at Heathrow airport.

As British Airways’ "Sweet Chariot" taxied to a halt shortly before 5am, the team coach, Clive Woodward, flanked by the captain, Martin Johnson, and a slightly bemused looking Jonny Wilkinson, were met on the tarmac by the Westminster minister for sport, Richard Caborn.

When the team entered the terminal building they were met by a cacophony of noise in scenes normally reserved for rock stars. Thousands of fans clambered on to gantries and sought out any vantage point to get a glimpse of the Webb Ellis Trophy held aloft by Leicester forward Johnson.

But one of the biggest cheers was reserved for Wilkinson, English sport’s latest idol, whose last-minute drop goal in extra time clinched the World Cup.

After taking more than half an hour to get the squad through the terminal building, the police were left holding back the crowds as the team coach left for a news conference at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey.

Speaking to the press pack, Woodward admitted to being shocked by the enthusiastic turn-out, but spoke of his hopes of leading English rugby into a "golden age". He said: "We set out a few years ago to become the number one team in the world. The only way you can say that is if you’ve got the World Cup sitting with you - and we have that.

"But it’s not the end of it for us, it’s just a good staging post and I really hope it all kicks on now to a real golden age of English rugby."

Wilkinson, dressed in a T-shirt and tracksuit trousers, said the events of the previous two days had been hard to take in. "You can’t grasp it all at once." And reinforcing his image as a dedicated sportsman, Wilkinson, 24, added: "I also know I have got lots of work to get on with."

Wilkinson reaffirmed his commitment to the game, saying: "I’m a professional rugby player. I love doing that and I love trying to do that. I am trying to be professional about it, it’s all about what you do on the pitch."

But clearly uncomfortable with his new superstar status, he insisted he just wanted to return home for "a bit of peace and quiet" with his family.

All the fans’ eyes now turn to the team’s official homecoming celebrations which are expected to include a parade through central London and a champagne reception at Downing Street.

London’s mayor, Ken Livingstone, said the parade, when thousands are expected to take to the streets, would probably take place over a weekend.

Downing Street said yesterday officials would consult players and the Rugby Football Union before deciding what form any celebrations should take, though there is an open invitation to a reception at No 10.

Wilkinson is to receive the freedom of the city of Newcastle, where he plays his club rugby, and there is growing expectation that he, other players and Woodward will feature in the New Year’s Honours.

Johnson, widely tipped to quit at the end of the tournament, said Woodward had slapped a ban on any retirement announcements in the aftermath of the tournament and the double British Lions skipper is "giving the matter further consideration".

Johnson said: "People have been asking me for the last 18 months when will I retire. I’ve told them all along that I would not be thinking about retiring before a World Cup.

"Clive was quite right when he said he didn’t want anyone talking about quitting during or immediately after the World Cup.

"He said to those of us who are getting on a bit that we must fend off questions about it."